What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Physicians, Pathologists in the U.S. earn more than $312,400 a year — the middle 80% land between $92,540 and $449,970. About 11,110 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Physicians, Pathologists”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$312,400typical pay / year
11,110people in this work
$449,970+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Analysing4
Examine microscopic samples for abnormalities
+Prepare and examine the fixed tissue slides from case 23-114 under oil immersion for cellular atypia, mitotic…
Examine microscopic samples for abnormalities
+Prepare and examine the fixed tissue slides from case 23-114 under oil immersion for cellular atypia, mitotic figures and infectious organisms, capture annotated micrographs and enter provisional notes into the lab record.
The tools that do the workAspyra CyberPATHjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analyze and interpret test results
+Compile hematology, toxicology and histology results for case 23-114, reconcile discrepant values, interpret…
Analyze and interpret test results
+Compile hematology, toxicology and histology results for case 23-114, reconcile discrepant values, interpret abnormalities against clinical history, write the integrated comment and update the electronic report for the coroner.
The tools that do the workAntek HealthWare LabDAQAspyra CyberLABjob descriptionsO*NET
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Communicate findings to surgeons or physicians
+Draft a concise consult letter for Dr. Morales describing the autopsy findings, probable cause of death,…
Communicate findings to surgeons or physicians
+Draft a concise consult letter for Dr. Morales describing the autopsy findings, probable cause of death, relevant histology images, and recommended clinical follow-up, then send it to her inbox and file a copy in the case record.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NET
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Review cases through autopsies and lab findings
+Review the 12 pending autopsy reports and linked lab result packets, reconcile tissue findings with…
Review cases through autopsies and lab findings
+Review the 12 pending autopsy reports and linked lab result packets, reconcile tissue findings with toxicology and microbiology notes, flag discrepancies for addendum, and schedule follow-up case reviews with Dr. Morales and the medicolegal death investigator by Thursday.
The tools that do the workAnatomic pathologyAntek HealthWare LabDAQjob descriptionsO*NET
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Learning1
Keep abreast of developments in pathology
+Survey the last six months of literature on sudden cardiac death, note changes to post-mortem sampling…
Keep abreast of developments in pathology
+Survey the last six months of literature on sudden cardiac death, note changes to post-mortem sampling protocols, summarise three practice-changing papers with implications for our autopsy sampling and circulate the summary to the pathology team.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work10
Write pathology reports summarizing analyses
+Write the complete postmortem pathology report for case 2026-1147: summarise external and internal findings,…
Write pathology reports summarizing analyses
+Write the complete postmortem pathology report for case 2026-1147: summarise external and internal findings, list histology and toxicology results, state cause and manner of death with rationale, attach labeled tissue photos, and send to Medical Examiner Lisa Romero by Tuesday for signature.
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Participate in professional organizations or conferences
+Prepare an abstract and 10-minute slide set summarising our metabolic poisoning series for the regional…
Participate in professional organizations or conferences
+Prepare an abstract and 10-minute slide set summarising our metabolic poisoning series for the regional forensic conference, include key tables, two case photos, and a speaking notes page, then submit to Conference Coordinator Mark Ellis by next Monday.
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Consult with physicians on test ordering and interpretation
+Review Dr. Patel's consult request about ordering postmortem genetic testing: recommend specific tests,…
Consult with physicians on test ordering and interpretation
+Review Dr. Patel's consult request about ordering postmortem genetic testing: recommend specific tests, explain expected turnaround and limitations, note required specimens and consent language, and email the consult back to Dr. Patel and Lab Manager Fiona Chen today.
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Analyze autopsies and case investigation reports
+Examine autopsy files for case 2026-0983, reconcile scene report, toxicology, and histology, list unresolved…
Analyze autopsies and case investigation reports
+Examine autopsy files for case 2026-0983, reconcile scene report, toxicology, and histology, list unresolved questions, propose three follow-up studies, and forward the consolidated case analysis to Detective Aaron Mills and Supervisor Dr. Nguyen by Friday noon.
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Manage medical laboratories.
+Review last quarter's lab performance metrics, confirm staffing and reagent inventories for the autopsy…
Manage medical laboratories.
+Review last quarter's lab performance metrics, confirm staffing and reagent inventories for the autopsy suite, reopen any overdue quality audits, and schedule weekly sign-off meetings with lab manager Marta Ruiz starting Monday to prevent testing backlogs.
The tools that do the workAnatomic pathologyAntek HealthWare LabDAQO*NET
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Conduct research and present scientific findings.
+Draft a 12-slide presentation of our postmortem toxicology series, extract case statistics and summary…
Conduct research and present scientific findings.
+Draft a 12-slide presentation of our postmortem toxicology series, extract case statistics and summary tables, attach histology images with scale bars, and book a departmental seminar on Thursday so I can circulate the manuscript draft beforehand.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Testify in depositions or trials as an expert witness.
+Prepare my expert witness packet: assemble the autopsy report, chain of custody logs, summarized findings,…
Testify in depositions or trials as an expert witness.
+Prepare my expert witness packet: assemble the autopsy report, chain of custody logs, summarized findings, and a one-page testimony outline, then email the folder to defense counsel and the trial coordinator with a note confirming my availability for deposition next Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NET
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Conduct lab tests on organs, tissues, and fluids
+Run the requested postmortem panels on tissue and fluid samples, prioritize the sepsis and toxicity panels,…
Conduct lab tests on organs, tissues, and fluids
+Run the requested postmortem panels on tissue and fluid samples, prioritize the sepsis and toxicity panels, log specimens and results under the case number, and notify the treating coroner and ICU liaison by end of day if any critical values return.
The tools that do the workAspyra CyberLABAntek HealthWare LabDAQjob descriptions
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Provide healthcare services to patients in specialised medicine
+See the referred patient in clinic, review prior imaging and histology, formulate a specialist management…
Provide healthcare services to patients in specialised medicine
+See the referred patient in clinic, review prior imaging and histology, formulate a specialist management plan for the suspected hepatic disease including biopsy review and targeted serology, then document diagnosis and treatment plan in the patient record.
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Diagnose diseases using organs, tissues, and fluids
+Examine the biopsy slides and gross specimens, correlate histology with toxicology and culture results,…
Diagnose diseases using organs, tissues, and fluids
+Examine the biopsy slides and gross specimens, correlate histology with toxicology and culture results, render a primary pathological diagnosis with differential, and finalize the diagnostic report for the medical record and referring clinician.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses